Usha Martin, the first pager operator to set up shop in the state, has of late passing through a rough patch, following the erosion in subscriber base and stiff competition from other operators.

The company could not widen its consumer base, following the rate war launched by other prominent operators in the state, industry watchers feel.

In a letter addressed to the subscribers, the company has expressed its inability to continue services in Ernakulam citing various reasons. "We now have the difficult task of informing you that due to a number of reasons personal to us, we areproposing to close down our radio paging operations in Ernakulam," the company has said in its letter dated March 19, 1999, addressed to its subscribers.

The letter also said the company has approached DoT to close down its operations in the Ernakulam circle. "In this connection, we have submitted our formal notice to Department of Telecommunication stating our intention of closing our radio paging operations in Ernakulam," the company said in its letter addressed to its subscribers. The company has, however, assured its subscribers that it would provide its radio paging services till it winds up operations.

The company has offered a slew of options to its subscribers in a bid to minimise their financial losses stemming from the closing of operations.The first option offers the service of the company to the subscriber till the closure of its operations. "Should you wish to avail of our service till the closure of operations, we shall continue to do so, subject to your paying our quarterly rental bills,"the letter said.

The company also provides the option to discontinue the services to its subscribers prior to the closure of operations. "Should you wish to discontinue availing of our services prior to our closure of our operations, kindly inform us from which date you would like to discontinue our services," the letter said.

The last option given to the subscribers offer to buy back the pagers from the subscribers.

Company sources, while contacted, confirmed that they had approached the DoT for closing down operations in the state. However, they remained non-committal about the exact date of discontinuing services from Kochi.

Sources, however, said DoT had not so far taken a decision in this regard. It was likely to ask the company to continue its services for a further six months to one year to avoid any financial losses or other inconveniences to the subscribers, industry sources said.